8 DOCS. FOR VOL. 5 JANUARY 1914 Vol. 5, 500a. To Jakob Ehrat [Zurich, 7 January 1914] Dear Ehrat,[1] I telephoned you yesterday for the following reason. An old acquaintance, Mr. Besso’s sister-in-law, a very pleasant, good person of our age, visited me.[2] She is a widow[3] [She was married to a cantonal schoolteacher in Aarau.] and had a position here in a shop, but it was too strenuous for her. Originally she lived with the boys in Oberwil[4] but came here to allow her boys to get a proper schooling. Now she intends to start a small boardinghouse to earn a little bit.[5] Mr. Besso is providing for the boys’ upkeep. Then it occurred to me that it would be quite smart if she went to Winterthur, provided you wanted to live with her, at least to start with. I am convinced that you also would feel very comfortable with this. She is one of the most pleasant women I have become acquainted with, very modest and industrious, a suberb personality. Do come here soon and talk to her; should she not seem suitable to you or should you not be able to agree on the conditions for some reason, you can just say no (directly to her). If you were to decide to accept, you would have a comfortable home in which you would really be master and in control. So write a postcard as soon as possible[6] [she has to decide quickly where she should move] to Mrs. Rosa Bandi 49 Beder St. II. Zurich, in which you announce the time of your visit. Treat her very considerately; she has already had so much misfortune. With best regards, yours, Einstein If you prefer, I’ll go with you.